British Colony / East India Company

British East India Company history begins from 1611 CE. The British East India Company was established in 1600 CE under the name ‘The Company of Merchants of London Trading into the East Indies’. The Company first established its foothold in Masulipatnam in India in 1611 CE. In 1612 CE, they secured the rights to establish a factory in Surat. These rights were granted to them by the Mughal Emperor, Jehangir. A second factory was established at Madras after having secured the rights from the Vijayanagara ruler.

The islands of Bombay were a former Portuguese outpost, gifted as dowry to England upon the marriage of Catherine of Braganza to Charles II which was leased by the East India Company in 1668. 20 years later, the Company established its presence in the Ganges River Delta by setting up a factory in Calcutta.

The Battle of Plassey in 1757 was one of the events that commenced the rule of the Company in India. Nawab Siraj-ud-Daula of Bengal surrendered his dominions to the East India Company after his defeat in the battle. In 1756 CE, the Company was granted the rights to revenue in Bihar and Bengal. 1773 CE saw the Company establish its capital in Calcutta to become directly involved in the governance after appointing Warren Hastings as the first Governor-General.

The British East India Company rule lasted till 1858 when the British Government took over the administration of India after the revolt of 1857.

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